Summary

Christmas has fallen over New York City for Caroline Ferriday. The festivities of the holiday season are lost on her, however, as she spends December selling war bonds in Grand Central Terminal. Months have passed since she has heard from Paul, and the last letter she received months ago has been read and re-read so may times that it, “had become as thin as facial tissue” (250). At Church, Caroline runs into her ex-boyfriend David and his wife, Sally who seems ready to burst with twins. Caroline approaches David and asks him to use his job at the State Department to inquire into getting a visa for Paul. David’s nonchalance about the war frustrates Caroline and she asks, “How can we just do nothing? It’s appalling” (252).

As Kasia takes over the narration of Chapter 22, we learn of her miserable Christmas...